Thyroid Fine-needle Aspiration Biopsy

What you should know

Thyroid fine-needle aspiration biopsy is a procedure to remove tissue and fluid from a nodule (lump) in the thyroid gland. This test helps your caregiver diagnose thyroid cancer or identify thyroid nodules that are not cancer. Your caregiver uses the results to decide whether you need additional treatment.

Care Agreement

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

Risks

You may have mild pain, swelling, or bruising after the procedure. There is a risk that not enough tissue will be collected. The tissue could be removed from the wrong location or damaged during collection or storage. The lab results could be inconclusive. This means the test could fail to find cancer that exists or indicate that you have cancer when you do not. The procedure may need to be repeated. A nodule that has been drained may fill with fluid again and come back. Bleeding inside the nodule could form a new lump in your neck. Your trachea, carotid artery, or jugular vein could be damaged by the needle. You could have heavy internal bleeding. A small mass of blood (hematoma) can collect under the skin where the needle was inserted. Rarely, you could have a massive hematoma. This can be life-threatening.

Getting Ready

Before the procedure:

You may need a CT scan, MRI, ultrasound, or other tests. You may also need blood tests. Write down the date, time, and location of each test.

Tell your caregiver if you know or think you might be pregnant.

Bring your medicine bottles or a list of your medicines when you see your caregiver. Tell him if you use any herbs, food supplements, or over-the-counter medicine. Ask if you need to stop taking aspirin, ibuprofen, blood thinners, or antiplatelet medicine before the procedure. Ask how long before the procedure you should stop.

Tell your caregiver if you have a condition that affects blood clotting, such as liver disease, kidney disease, hemophilia, or thrombocytopenia. Tell him about any health conditions you have, such as a history of cancer or radiation therapy. Also tell him if you or anyone in your family has had thyroid disease or thyroid cancer.

Write down the correct date, time, and location of your procedure.

The day of the procedure:

You or a close family member will be asked to sign a legal document called a consent form. It gives caregivers permission to do the procedure or surgery. It also explains the problems that may happen, and your choices. Make sure all your questions are answered before you sign this form.

Treatment

What will happen:

You will lie on your back. A rolled towel or blanket will be placed under your shoulders to help raise your neck. Try to keep your body relaxed and your neck still. Anesthesia medicine may be injected in your neck to numb the area. Your caregiver may be able to locate the nodules easily by feeling your neck with his fingers. He may use ultrasound to find the nodules or see them better.

Your caregiver will insert a very thin needle into the nodule and remove tissue and fluid. You may feel pressure or pulling as he rotates the needle to different areas within the nodule. Tell the caregiver if you feel sudden or severe pain. You may need tissue removed from more than 1 nodule. You may also need tissue removed from the lymph nodes in your neck.

You or your caregiver will apply pressure to your neck with a gauze pad. Do this for at least 2 or 3 minutes to help prevent bleeding and other complications. The fluid and tissue samples will be sent to the lab for tests.

After the procedure:

A caregiver will observe you for about 30 minutes to see if you have any swelling or bruising.

A cold compress or ice bag may be placed on your neck to ease swelling and discomfort.

Ask your caregiver if you should limit your activity after the procedure.

Contact a caregiver if

You have new or worsening symptoms, such as trouble talking, swallowing, or breathing.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.